GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Nov. 22) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team picked up its first win of the 2014 season on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets built up an eight-point halftime lead and held on to complete the 82-78 victory over Alma during day two of the Great Lakes Challenge, which was hosted by Calvin College.
 
The two teams battled evenly through the first 7:17 of play. However, with the score tied at 17-17, The Jackets (1-3) exploded for a 9-0 run that featured three-straight baskets from senior forward Jason Propst and a three-pointer from junior guard B.J. Durham. The offensive surge put the Orange and Black ahead 26-17 with 9:41 showing on the first-half clock.
 
Waynesburg grew its advantage to 12 points (37-25) on a pair of free throws from senior forward Jason Propst 17:06 into the game. The Jackets eventually settled into a 40-32 advantage at the half.
 
Alma opened up the second 20 minutes of play by going on a 16-7 run that gave the Scots a 48-47 edge. The Jackets regained the lead on a pair of successful free throw attempts by junior forward Nate Labishak, but that advantage was short-lived thanks to six-straight Alma points.
 
Trailing 54-49, Waynesburg responded to the challenge by scoring the next 10 points and regaining the lead at 59-54. The Jackets never trailed from that point in the game, but had to hold on tight for the win after the Scots pulled to within two points of the eventual winners with two seconds left to play. Luckily, senior guard Kenny Klase put the game out of reach with two clutch free throws with just one second showing on the clock.
 
Propst led the charge to victory by pouring in a team-high 23 points. He hit on a respectable six-of-14 from the field, but was excellent from the free throw line, where he made all 11 of his attempts.
 
Senior Jacob Fleegle added 12 points on five-of-nine shooting and added a game-high 10 rebounds for the first Waynesburg double-double of the season. Klase added 11 points, while Durham chipped in nine.
 
The Jackets will play their fourth-straight road game on Tuesday, Nov. 25, when they head to Frostburg State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.